A Strawberry-Flavored Wish

“I… I saw your hair was messy, I was just fixing it for you!” In the end, Lin Wanzhao lost her nerve. She merely reached out, tucked a stray lock behind Yu Qingkong’s ear, and quickly pulled her hand back.

Yu Qingkong blinked, then adjusted her hair herself, forcefully pushing down the surge of emotion that had just flooded her heart.

After a pause, she tossed the used tissues into the car’s trash bag and glanced at Lin Wanzhao, then down at the time. “It’s late. Shall I take you back now, CEO Lin?”

Lin Wanzhao bit her lip and finally nodded. “Mhm.”

Lin Wanzhao stepped out of the car when they arrived. Yu Qingkong watched her receding figure, lost in thought for a long moment before finally driving away.

On the way home, Yu Qingkong exhaled deeply as she replayed that moment in the car.

What was wrong with her? In that split second when Lin Wanzhao leaned in, she had actually felt the urge to pull her closer, to hold her… and to kiss her.

Is it some kind of biological season for me? This makes no sense, she thought, baffled by her own reactions.

********************************************

The weekend ended, and a new week began. Lin Wanzhao had been away for two days on business, and upon her return, she organized a meeting to discuss a reform of the product’s business strategy.

After everyone presented their suggestions, Lin Wanzhao shared her own insights. Though she was relatively new to the industry, she had clearly done her homework; her understanding of the market was already incredibly deep.

Sitting to the side, Yu Qingkong watched as Lin Wanzhao methodically addressed various issues and calmly deployed strategies. She found herself nodding in approval.

This was the first time she had seen Lin Wanzhao in two days. She was as beautiful as ever.

While the “off-duty” Lin Wanzhao could be a bit airheaded and soft, the “on-duty” version was radiant—sharp, efficient, and possessed a unique, commanding charm.

Most people wouldn’t know that this boss was actually quite cute in private. No, that’s not right, Yu Qingkong thought. I know.

Staring at her laptop screen, Yu Qingkong felt her mind begin to wander.

********************************************

At the end of the workday, Yu Qingkong was headed to her car in the garage when she spotted Lin Wanzhao.

Lin Wanzhao was on the phone, looking furious. Apparently, her car had broken down, and she looked ready to devour the person on the other end of the line.

When Lin Wanzhao turned and saw Yu Qingkong, she hung up immediately and walked over. “Qingkong, my car is dead.”

Yu Qingkong caught the hint instantly. “Does CEO Lin need a ride home?”

Lin Wanzhao nodded vigorously. “I do!”

“Get in then,” Yu Qingkong said, unlocking the door.

They drove in silence, the only sound being the soothing, ambient music Yu Qingkong had playing. Lin Wanzhao would steal glances at her every now and then, but the moment Yu Qingkong turned her head, Lin Wanzhao would snap her eyes down to her phone.

She felt like she was under a spell. Why did her heart feel like it was going to leap out of her chest just because of a single look?

Suddenly, Lin Wanzhao’s stomach let out a loud growl.

“Hungry?” Yu Qingkong asked.

“A little…” Lin Wanzhao rubbed her stomach, embarrassed.

“Want to grab dinner first?”

Lin Wanzhao smiled and nodded. “Yes.”

“What are you in the mood for?” Yu Qingkong asked, scanning the shops outside the window.

“Crawfish,” Lin Wanzhao said, pointing at a place called “Royal Crawfish House.”

In truth, Lin Wanzhao wasn’t a huge fan of crawfish. Not because of the taste, but because they were a nightmare to peel. For someone as clumsy as her, peeling them was a form of torture.

However, she knew Yu Qingkong loved them. Back in university, she’d often hear Yu Qingkong shouting for people to go eat crawfish with her after a basketball game. She had watched them leave the court in groups many times, but she had never once shared a meal with her.

“Crawfish, huh?” Yu Qingkong looked at her.

“What is it?” Lin Wanzhao asked.

“Perfect,” Yu Qingkong snapped her fingers, then frowned slightly. “It’s weird—everything you want to eat lately is exactly what I want to eat.”

“Maybe it’s fate,” Lin Wanzhao said, flipping her hair and pretending it was a coincidence.

“Alright, let’s go. Crawfish it is,” Yu Qingkong said, parking the car. “Off-season farming technology is truly a blessing.”

They sat down and a waiter handed them a menu. Yu Qingkong ordered a medium portion of spicy crawfish and looked at the drinks. “Do you want something? Juice or alcohol?”

“A beer. I’m not driving today anyway,” Lin Wanzhao said, resting her chin on her hand.

When the mountain of crawfish arrived, Yu Qingkong expertly snapped one open, sucked the juices, and pulled the meat out in one smooth motion.

Lin Wanzhao watched her, then looked at her own plate. She gingerly tried to break off a leg, then a claw, but the shell was slippery and kept sliding out of her fingers. She began to scowl.

Yu Qingkong watched her for a while over her Coke. “Do you not eat this often, CEO Lin?”

“No, I do… I’m just bad at peeling. I have ‘clumsy-hand syndrome.'”

Yu Qingkong nodded, set down her drink, and peeled one with practiced ease. She held the meat out to Lin Wanzhao. “Here.”

Lin Wanzhao was stunned for a second before taking it. She dipped it in the spicy sauce and ate it. “Thank you.”

Yu Qingkong didn’t say anything, just kept peeling and placing the meat on Lin Wanzhao’s plate.

Lin Wanzhao took a large gulp of beer, feeling her courage swell. “Have you ever been in a relationship?”

Yu Qingkong looked up and shook her head. “No. And I don’t plan to.”

“Why?” Lin Wanzhao asked, then quickly added, “I’m just curious. Personally, I don’t want one because I value my freedom. What about you?”

Yu Qingkong’s hands paused for a moment. She looked at Lin Wanzhao. “I have a bit of a… barrier. Caused by someone else.”

She wasn’t lying. It was a lingering shadow that had haunted her for years, making it difficult for her to process certain emotions like a “normal” person.

“A barrier?” Lin Wanzhao asked, confused. “What kind?”

Yu Qingkong looked at the surrounding tables, filled with laughing people. She lowered her eyes back to the crawfish. “It’s nothing.”

Lin Wanzhao took another sip of beer. “If you don’t want to say, that’s fine. But if you could set the barrier aside… have you ever actually wanted love?”

Yu Qingkong looked at her, placing another piece of shrimp on her plate.

“I have.” She pulled her hand back and gripped her drink.

“Then I’m taking you somewhere after this,” Lin Wanzhao smiled. If there’s desire, there’s hope! she thought, feeling revitalized.

“Are you drunk?” Yu Qingkong eyed the large beer can and Lin Wanzhao’s flushed face. “How much have you had?”

“I’m not!” Lin Wanzhao frowned. “Just tell me if you’ll go!”

“I’ll go,” Yu Qingkong laughed. “But don’t drink anymore. You have work tomorrow.”

“I have an alarm,” Lin Wanzhao dismissed her.

********************************************

Twenty minutes later, following Lin Wanzhao’s directions, Yu Qingkong found herself driving into a dilapidated old street. The buildings were crumbling, and the atmosphere was eerie.

“Are you planning to take me out, CEO Lin?” Yu Qingkong muttered.

“Huh?”

“This looks like exactly the kind of place a hitman would use for body disposal.” Yu Qingkong parked the car near a massive, ancient tree.

“What a vivid imagination,” Lin Wanzhao unbuckled her seatbelt. “Get out. Follow me.”

Yu Qingkong sighed and followed her. Lin Wanzhao walked up to the tree and touched its gnarled trunk.

“This tree was famous when I was a kid. It’s a ‘Wishing Tree.’ They say it’s incredibly effective. Make a wish. Wish for love, and you’ll find it.”

Yu Qingkong looked at the tree, then at Lin Wanzhao. “I don’t believe in this. You’re definitely drunk.”

“I’m not! Just try it. It won’t hurt.”

“Fine. I want a strawberry jelly within five minutes,” Yu Qingkong said, crossing her arms and leaning against the trunk. “Can the tree give me that?”

“You…” Lin Wanzhao bit her lip. “Wait here.”

“Hmm? You aren’t going to go buy one, are you? There are no shops around here.”

“No,” Lin Wanzhao said, rummaging through her bag. “Don’t peek. Close your eyes. I’ll conjure one for you.”

“Alright.” Yu Qingkong closed her eyes, a look of amused disbelief on her face.

With her eyes shut, the world went black. The wind rustled the leaves above, and the restlessness in her heart began to settle.

She heard soft footsteps. “Can I open them now?” she asked, tilting her head.

But in that moment, a strawberry-flavored, slightly cool, and incredibly soft kiss—accompanied by a warm, shallow breath—landed softly on her lips.